She then begins wearing a hijab, with garners a variety of reactions from the people she encounters. Part way through the story, Jude experiences her first period. Jude’s Muslim identity is more prominent than Jam’s. (Jude’s mother is pregnant at the beginning and gives birth at the end.) Jude describes the experience of arriving in a foreign country with little idea of what to expect, particularly when it comes to prejudice and racism. Jude’s story unfolds over a longer timeline than Jam’s. That’s the type of journalist I want to be. I’ve thought a lot about what she said: how I can make a difference by writing about things that are important to the people I love and doing what I can to make them matter to other people. Over the course of the story, she learns how to be a responsible journalist and what she wants to accomplish in that role. When Jam’s youngest sister Bisma becomes ill, Jam begins to rethink her journalistic priorities. Jam thinks she can still write a significant article by sharing Ali’s personal experiences, but Ali isn’t as keen. The paper’s editor shoots down that idea and assigns her to write about her cousin instead. She’s keen to write an important story about microaggressions (the paper usually covers fluffy topics). Jam has been chosen to be the features editor for her school paper. Jude wants to find her place on the stage, inspired by the American movies she used to watch. Jam aspires to be an award-winning journalist. The main similarity between Jam and Jude is that their passions drive their stories. For example, when video chatting with Jam: “Now I can only see Baba’s forehead, the ceiling of his apartment, and some metal light fixtures.”, pg. I smiled in recognition at some of his actions. Jam’s father remains present throughout the story as the biggest supporter of her journalism. Jam’s Baba has to take a job overseas to support his family. Jam and Jude struggle with being separated from their fathers. Jude’s cousin Sarah is a born and raised American, embarrassed by Jude. Ali’s ‘Britishness’ makes him an intriguing figure at school.

Jam’s Pakistani-British cousin Ali comes to stay with the family after his father dies suddenly. Aunts, uncles, and cousins are key characters in each story. One commonality between Jam and Jude is their close relationships with their families.

Jude and her mother move to stay with family in America when Jude’s mother becomes pregnant as the war in Syria grows more dire. Jam ( More to the Story) is Pakistani-American Jude ( Other Words for Home) is Syrian. More to the Story and Other Words for Home star two very different Muslim girls living in America.

Other words for home review